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Chapter 300: FLF: Fragments of the Forgotten Smile 29

  Roselle exclaimed, "Runebelle?! You're CipherMystery08?!"

  Runebelle nodded. "Yes, Roselle. I go by many names, but for this task, I am CipherMystery08. I've been watching you closely, and now it's time to confront your doppelganger, the one who's causing all this chaos."

  Roselle took a deep breath, closing her eyes briefly. "Okay, Roselle," she muttered to herself, "just stay calm."

  Runebelle watched her with a steady gaze. "The last time we met face to face, you lost consciousness. I saw it coming before it happened. It’s connected to your powers, Roselle."

  Roselle opened her eyes wide. "But weeks ago, I didn’t even have any powers. How could they be connected?”

  Runebelle said solemnly, “Your powers are linked to a deeper part of yourself, one that’s been awakened recently. To confront your doppelganger, you need to manifest that power of foresight you possess.”

  Roselle looked puzzled. “How do I use that power?”

  Runebelle grew more urgent. “We’ll get to that later. Right now, we don’t have much time. The doppelgangers are the ones who kidnapped Michigo. If you cooperate with me, we can figure out who among us has already been replaced by doppelgangers in the chatroom.”

  Runebelle fixed her gaze on Roselle, holding her eyes for a moment that felt like an eternity. Roselle shifted nervously under the intense gaze. After the pause, Runebelle spoke. “I’ve been working closely with the site admins Harty and Angie. However, I know for a fact that Harty is missing.”

  Roselle’s eyes widened in disbelief. “That’s impossible! Both of them were online recently. I saw them myself.”

  Runebelle shook her head. “That’s exactly what the doppelgangers want you to believe. They’re manipulating perceptions, making you think everything is normal. I assure you, Harty is indeed missing. Angie’s behavior has also raised many red flags lately. Something isn’t right. By the way, I communicate with Harty through our phones, not the chatroom. It's a personal thing."

  Roselle’s eyes widened. “W-wait a minute that means you would be texting Harty regularly.”

  Runebelle nodded. “Yes, and if I’m being honest, it wasn’t just about detective club matters. Sometimes, Harty and I would go on these things he called ‘dates.’”

  Roselle’s face became flushed. “So, were you... were you Harty’s girlfriend or something?”

  Runebelle’s face remained as calm and neutral. “We didn’t kiss and have sex, if that’s what you’re asking, but eh… maybe it was something like that? It’s complicated.”

  Roselle blushed briefly and said to herself, ‘How can Runebelle be so calm when she says stuff like that?’

  Runebelle went on to explain, "Since the incident involving Risebelle and the break-in at Jess's home, Harty hasn't been calling me. Instead, he's been using the chatroom for private chats, which is unusual. I knew something was amiss, and confronted him. Right after that's when I got in touch with you. We need to unravel this mystery and save Michigo, Harty, and possibly even Angie."

  Runebelle held up a list of names and turned to Roselle with a thoughtful look. "Out of those left on this list, who do you think looks the most suspicious?"

  Ruled out:

  Michigo: "KarateSpirit23"

  Roselle: "StarlightSeeker27"

  Runebelle: "CipherMystery08"

  Harty: "Chessmaster12"

  Remaining names:

  Angie: "EnigmaGamer19"

  Hashta: "PixelChaos03"

  EclipseDreamer14: (Unknown)

  Roselle pondered the question. "I've always thought Angie was a bit mysterious, and she has been close Harty. EclipseDreamer14 is an unknown, and Hashta is my friend. If Harty has been acting strangely, maybe Angie and EclipseDreamer14 are the ones we should focus on."

  Runebelle nodded in agreement. "You're right, Roselle. Angie and EclipseDreamer14 are the most likely candidates for the doppelganger. But there's something else you should know, Roselle. EclipseDreamer14 is Risebelle's username in the game. And here's the shocking part: Risebelle is currently in the hospital and not conscious, yet somehow her account has been active in the chatroom."

  Roselle's eyes widened in disbelief. "That's impossible. Risebelle… can't be online if she's in the hospital and unconscious. This is getting more and more complicated."

  Runebelle set up her laptop, placing it on an old, dust-covered table. She turned to find Roselle doing the same, a determined yet hopeful look on her face.

  "I brought my laptop too," Roselle said with a soft smile.

  Runebelle mirrored her smile. "Great minds think alike."

  Roselle’s smile widened, In Runebelle’s mind, her mother gawked. “Oh, she’s just the cutest thing, isn’t she? Look at that smile! Oh. My. God.”

  A slight blush warmed Runebelle's cheeks. She mentally responded, ‘Yeah, Roselle is…cute.’

  Her Mother grew more mischievous. “You should take her home with you and adopt her as your little sister! Imagine the fun!”

  Runebelle chuckled silently, shaking her head. I can't do that, Mom. I'd get arrested for kidnapping. Besides, Roselle has her own mother, Mrs. Magenta. Remember?

  Her mother' shifted to disappointment. “Oh you’re right…”

  Roselle noticed Runebelle’s quiet smile and looked at her curiously. “What’s so funny?”

  “Oh, nothing. Just... stuff,” Runebelle replied, waving her hand infront of her.

  Roselle chuckled. “You know, it's nice to see you smile, Runebelle. I remember when you first said that your face was glued to sadness."

  The author's tale has been misappropriated; report any instances of this story on Amazon.

  Runebelle tilted her head.“Did I say that? I guess I did feel that way back then.”

  Roselle nodded enthusiastically. “Yeah, but now look at you! You're smiling, and it’s great. I’m glad I could be part of that change somehow.”

  Roselle returned her focus to the screen’s infront of them. “So, we’re focusing on Angie and EclipseDreamer14, right?”

  Runebelle nodded. “Exactly. We need to figure out who’s real and who’s not. I’m going to show you how to expose a doppelganger.”

  Roselle leaned over to view Runebelle’s chat. “How do we do that?”

  Runebelle began typing quickly, her fingers flying across the keyboard. “First, we’re going to monitor the chat activity. If EclipseDreamer14 is online, there’s a good chance it’s a doppelganger impersonating Risebelle, since we know she’s in the hospital and can’t be online herself.”

  Roselle watched the screen intently. “But how do we know for sure? What if it’s just someone using her account?”

  Runebelle smirked. “That’s where it gets tricky. Doppelgangers can mimic behaviors but often slip up on details. We’ll start a conversation and look for inconsistencies in how they respond.”

  [EclipseDreamer14 has joined the chat.]

  EclipseDreamer14: "Hey, everyone! Sorry, been in the hospital but iv’e recovered. It was just a little scratch, you know? But I'm back, and I missed you all!"

  [CipherMystery08 has joined the chat.]

  Runebelle glanced at Roselle with a knowing look. “That’s interesting…they signed in nearly the same time as me, and they are already telling lies. Let’s see how this plays out.”

  Roselle nodded. “What should we ask?”

  Runebelle leaned closer. “For now, I’m going to try speaking in main chat, just to see how they react, since I don’t do that normally.”

  CipherMystery08: "Well, well, look whose back. You certainly haven't missed much,

  EclipseDreamer14. Welcome back, though."

  EnigmaGamer19: "EclipseDreamer14, we've been wondering where you've been. It's good to have you back!"

  Chessmaster12: "Indeed, it's been a while. How have you been, EclipseDreamer14?"

  KarateSpirit23: "Yeah, we've been worried about you. Good to see you back."

  PixelChaos03: "EclipseDreamer14! I was beginning to think you got shot to the moon. So glad you're here."

  EclipseDreamer14: "Aw, thanks, everyone!”

  CipherMystery08: "EclipseDreamer14, it is always nice to see you come back, though I guess that makes this appearance out of the blue. How's everything been treating you?"

  EnigmaGamer19: "Whoa, I just realized! CipherMystery08 is posting in the main chat! Aw shits! This rarely happens!"

  Chessmaster12: "It sure doesn't. EclipseDreamer14, we have all been worried about how you're doing. Mind letting us know how you are?"

  PixelChaos03: "Yeah, this is definitely a first.. But what's up with CipherMystery08's sudden appearance online at the same time too? Let me guess, you two were planning this grand return from the start. "

  EclipseDreamer14: "CipherMystery08, it's a surprise to see you here in the main chat honestly. But yeah, I've been through a lot, and it's been quite an ordeal. I appreciate your concern."

  [EclipseDreamer14 has sent a private chat request to CipherMystery08.]

  Runebelle blinked in surprise. Roselle, who was observing the situation, also looked perplexed. She leaned in closer to Runebelle’s screen and asked, "Why is she sending you a request for a private chat? This is unexpected."

  Runebelle had anticipated many responses, but not a private chat request from EclipseDreamer14. She regained her composure. “This is unexpected…Let’s see what they want.”

  Runebelle accepted EclipseDreamer14's private chat request.

  EclipseDreamer14: “You know what, you're the only one whose secret identity I can't figure out. There's been a lot on my mind ever since the recent attack on Jess's house and my own encounter with the Doppelganger, so I think about everyone's identity now. There's something off about you, and it's pissing me off, so i'm just gonna cut to the chase—am I right in guessing you are one of Shadowcroft's tools?”

  Runebelle turned to Roselle and explained, "This is an S-class impersonation of Risebelle, but it's still an impersonation. Risebelle is known for her serious yet strategic nature; however, this is a bold assumption.

  Runebelle then responded to EclipseDreamer14.

  CipherMystery08: "I know you're a bit leery, EclipseDreamer14. LEMME put it to you straight: I am not working for Shadowcroft. I've been commissioned under the guise of uncovering the truth and the source of these disturbances. I'm unable to reveal my true identity at this time. For my safety and the security of the investigation, I've got to hold back a little information. If that's too much for you, then maybe we can turn our attention to the solution."

  EclipseDreamer14: “I see. But just saying you’re not working for Shadowcroft isn’t enough for me. I need more than vague assurances. If you want to prove you’re on our side, you’ll need to give me something more concrete. A name, a clue, anything that can help us trust you. Otherwise, I’m still going to have doubts about you.”

  CipherMystery08: “Revealing myself is not something I can do lightly. It's for the safety and protection of the group. We must proceed cautiously."

  EclipseDreamer14: "Safety and protection? By not revealing your name, you only cast suspicion on yourself! How can we trust someone who hides their identity when we're facing a threat on this level?! You're putting the group at risk!"

  EclipseDreamer14: "If you truly cared about our safety, you would disclose your identity. We can't afford to have secrets in our group at a time like this."

  Runebelle read the latest barrage of messages from EclipseDreamer14 and took a deep breath. “Alright, it’s time to employ my strategy,” she said, turning to Roselle. “I’m going to pause my responses for five minutes. Let’s see how EclipseDreamer14 reacts to this.”

  Roselle looked concerned. “What if they just log off and disappear?”

  Runebelle shook her head. “If EclipseDreamer14 is a doppelganger, they won’t just disappear. They’ll want to keep the pressure on. I guarantee that they’ll send more messages, trying to provoke or manipulate us. Let’s see if they fall into that pattern.”

  Runebelle deliberately left the chat unresponsive and waited.

  5 minutes later…

  EclipseDreamer14: "ENOUGH GAMES! Tell me who you are, or I'll turn everyone against you! We can't afford to have a traitor in our midst."

  EclipseDreamer14: "Like, really you think you could just ignore me and get away with it?”

  EclipseDreamer14: "YOU ARE JEOPARDISING OUR SAFETY BY NOT TALKING TO ME… AND I AM NOT PUTTING UP WITH IT. TELL ME YOUR NAME NOW!!

  EclipseDreamer14: "IF YOU DON'T TELL ME WHO YOU ARE NOW, I'LL MAKE SURE EVERY PERSON IN THIS GROUP QUESTION YOUR IDENTITY! YOU KNOW HOW SMART I AM!"

  EclipseDreamer14: "FINE! YOU'VE DECIDED! I'M TELLING EVERYBODY AND WE'RE GONNA FIND YOU, YOU GODDAMN DOPPLEGANGER!

  Runebelle leaned back and looked at Roselle with a gloomy yet satisfied smile. “I’ve got them. They’re panicking because I’m being silent, and that’s revealing their true nature.”

  Roselle’s eyes widened. “What do you mean?”

  Runebelle explained, “At first, EclipseDreamer14 tried to accuse me of working for Shadowcroft, but now they’re calling me a doppelganger. That inconsistency is a clear sign of their desperation. I don't think the real Risebelle would change her accusation so abruptly. They’re losing control because their own lies aren’t working against me.”

  CipherMystery08: "EclipseDreamer14, I understand your frustration, and I don't wish to hide my identity from the group any longer. I'll tell you who I am on one condition: You must tell me why you suspect me of being a Doppelganger.”

  EclipseDreamer14: "Because Angie said so. She said you were acting strange and to suspect you, and I did it, so why isn’t it working?"

  Immediately after sending the message, EclipseDreamer14 seemed to realize the mistake. They attempted to delete the message, but Runebelle, being a mod, was quick to react. She managed to undelete the message before it could be permanently erased.

  Runebelle turned to Roselle with a knowing look. “They just revealed their true motivation—Angie’s influence. It’s a crucial slip. They’re trying to cover their tracks now, but with my mod status, I can undelete messages. The doppelganger is exposed.”

  Roselle’s eyes widened. “So Angie’s been involved all along? That’s huge!”

  CipherMystery08: “Interesting. So Angie’s influence is your basis for suspicion. Let me assure you, the real threat is much closer than you think. And your attempt to delete the evidence only confirms your own deceit. Care to explain why you’re so quick to hide the truth?”

  EclipseDreamer14: "That's wrong! Angie didn’t tell me that. I meant to type Harty’s name, not Angie. I must have made a mistake.”

  CipherMystery08: “Oh, is that so? I find that hard to believe, but if that’s your explanation, let’s put it to the test. To clear my name and validate your claim, I suggest we meet face to face.”

  EclipseDreamer14: "Alright. If meeting in person will clear things up, I’ll agree. Let’s arrange a time and place to discuss this."

  Runebelle raised one fist in victory. "We've just outsmarted the doppelganger, Roselle. EclipseDreamer14 just revealed herself as the doppelganger. Shadowcroft made their move but they don't expect counterplay of this level.”

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